Death of Umberto Pellegrini

We share with great emotion this news received yesterday afternoon from Italy:

A great sports personality has passed away, Umberto Pellegrini, one of the most historic figures in national and international karting since its early days, known and appreciated worldwide for his passion in managing and organising events in the legendary ‘Mondialpista’ of Parma. He was born on 5 October 1937 in Busseto (Parma).

Umberto Pellegrini came from a dynasty of millers and worked for important mills until 1968, when he received the proposal to manage the kart track at San Pancrazio. For him, it was a completely new job that he undertook with tenacity, passion and competence, acquired in the field in the organisation of hundreds and hundreds of races, all at a high level, from national to international championships, up to World Championships. And still today there is great regret for this historic track in Parma, designed by him, which is among the most technical in the world, so much so that an identical one was recently built in the United States.

Among the events organised by Umberto Pellegrini, who was the only one for forty years to keep a karting facility in operation in the Emilia basin, some competitions were conceived and promoted that over time have become ‘icons’ for their great sporting and technical value, such as the Torneo delle Industrie, established in 1971, and the Andrea Margutti International Trophy, in memory of the young driver who died in 1989, which are still organised by the Pellegrini family thanks to the enterprise and equal passion of their three children, Tiziano, Donatella and Germano.

Umberto Pellegrini was also a passionate cyclist, and in the memories of his exploits remain the climbs to the highest peaks, from Stelvio to Mortirolo and Mont Ventoux in France.

Another piece of history has gone. An important history, which represented and brought prestige to the dawn of karting in Italy. Many will remember the sporting value of Umberto Pellegrini, his skills, his enthusiasm and his race reports. Some of his most famous phrases will remain in the memory of the sportsmen who knew him, sports authorities, constructors, race officials, team managers, insiders, the countless spectators of the races at the Parma track, and the drivers of all ranks, even those of today who have become motorsport stars: above all “Amico Sole” (Friend Sun) and “Mondialpista” (World Champion). Unforgettable proclamations, which just remembering them still echoes such nostalgia and emotion in the minds of many fans: a strange effect, a blow to the heart.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday 28 May at 11.00 a.m. at the church of Santa Lucia di Corcagnano (Parma)

Info Kartcom / Photo © DR